From preliminary design to final grow-in, building or renovating a field complex can be, well, complex. This field building seminar will help you avoid costly mistakes and give you ideas for stretching your construction dollars for maximum value. From former Major League groundskeepers and turfgrass professionals you'll learn critical design, construction, and maintenance features that will directly impact the cost, playability, and safety of your new facility.

Most projects receive funding only once. The Beacon Field Building Seminar is designed to empower you with the understanding and foresight to make sure you're able to get it right the first time. Especially since it may be the only time. It's what you need to know.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Park, recreation or public works superintendents and facilities managers; school athletic directors; youth sports organizations; private sports complex operators; municipal planners.

Paul Zwaska is a former head groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles and has over 28 years of groundskeeping experience. Paul earned a B.S. degree in Soil Science with a specialty in Turf & Grounds Management from the University of Wisconsin. He joined Beacon in 2001.

Raechal Volkening is the owner of Volkening Consulting and is a certified sports fi eld manager. She has was a professional head groundskeeper from 1997 - 2000 before serving as grounds manager for seven years at Miller Park for the Milwaukee Brewers. Rachel has a B.S. in Horticulture/Turf Management from the University of Wisconsin and was involved with the 2002 Major League All-Star Game, Super Bowl XXXVII, and the filming of Mr. 3000.

Schedule:

Beacon Field Maintenance Seminars combine presentation, demonstration, video and general discussion to provide in-depth coverage of the feature topic. For reference when you return home, each attendee receives a binder containing presentation slides and materials, including the Field Dimensions Guide!

Paul Zwaska is a former head groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles and has over 28 years of groundskeeping experience. Paul earned a B.S. degree in Soil Science with a specialty in Turf & Grounds Management from the University of Wisconsin. He joined Beacon in 2001.

Steve Wightman has been involved in sports field management for over 30 years. He managed the field at Denver's Mile High Stadium for 13 years and has spent the last 15 years tending to the field at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium.

Nicole Sherry is currently the head groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles.

What you can expect:
(seminar topics may vary slightly from this list)

1. The Skinny on Infield Skins
   1. Soils/Amendments/Topdressings
   2. Drainage
   3. Lips
   4. Grade/Leveling
   5. Daily maintenance
2. Mound Maintenance
   1. Materials
   2. Pitching rubbers
   3. Measuring height & slope
   4. Moisture management
   5. Daily maintenance
3. Bases
   1. Options
   2. Proper setting
   3. Base care & inspection
4. High Wear Solutions
   1. Batting cages
   2. Coaches boxes
   3. Bullpens
   4. Other turf wear areas
5. Game Day Field Prep
   1. Dragging protocol
   2. Foul lines
6. Rainy Day Field Solutions
   1. Skin areas
   2. Turf areas

Experts from Beacon Athletics, Toro, and Diamond Pro have again joined forces to create the ultimate seminar learning experience! Comprehensive sessions combine hands-on and classroom instruction to give you proven techniques and skills to enhance your field maintenance knowledge.

Earn Credits!
STMA has developed a certification program for sports turf managers, Certified Sports Field Mangers (CSFM), recognizing the importance of fostering and improving professionalism within the sports turf industry. Attending an AFM forum will earn you 0.6 CEU's in Continuing Education Points.

Dale Getz — The Toro Company, and former Superintendant of Golf at the University of Notre Dame where he worked for 17 years and has published numerous articles on sports turf management.

Paul Zwaska — Beacon Athletics, and form Head Groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles with 28 years of grounds experience.

Tom Burns — Diamond Pro, and former Head Groundskeeper for the Texas Rangers, is widely known and respected as one of the top groundskeepers in Major League Baseball.

Boyd Montgomery — The Toro Company, and former Facilies and Maintenance Director at Sylvania Recreation Corp. Has published numberous articles on sports turf management and operations.

Schedule: